Maya holds a Master’s degree in Viticulture and Enology from Cornell University, and a Master of Business and Science degree in Vineyard and Winery management from France’s Bordeaux Science Agro. Maya’s impressive pedigree, daring ideas, and undeniable talent inform a new era for Dalla Valle while blazing an uncharted trail with DVO.

​Her friendship with Axel began in 2013 when she was studying at Science Agro, where she was tutored by Axel. After graduating, she spent a vintage working with him at Ornellaia where the seeds of DVO were planted, before time at Château Latour and Petrus. In 2017, she headed back to her family’s Dalla Valle Estate in Napa as Head Winemaker.

Axel Heinz was born in Munich, Germany, where he spent his formative years before embarking to France to chase a passion: winemaking. He first studied Agriculture and Enology at the Lycée d’Enseignement Général et Technologique Agricole de Bordeaux (LEGTA), then obtained a Master’s degree in Agronomy from the Ecole Nationale d’Ingénieurs des Travaux Agricoles and the Enological School of Bordeaux.

After deeply influential experiences in Bordeaux at Château La Tour Carnet, Château Fourcas Loubaney, Château la Dominique, and Château la Commanderie de Mazeyres, Axel moved to Italy to join Ornellaia. He is currently Estate Director for both Ornellaia and Masseto and brings his European experience to DVO.